California theme parks are pulling out a few showstoppers for the 2011 season.

From new performances by the Peanuts gang at California's Great America to the first tower thrill-ride at Discovery Kingdom, the slate of new attractions is long. Even the most daring adventure-seekers can get the heart pumping aboard the first vertical track roller coaster in the United States -- the Green Lantern -- launching Memorial Day weekend at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Northern California

California's Great America: This year the park celebrates its 35th year with the return of the summer Peanuts ice spectacular, "Snoopy Rocks on Ice." New shows are "Boot Scootin' Boogie," a country review with music, dancing and singing; the swashbuckling "Charlie Brown's Pirate Adventure"; and "Don't Stop the Music," featuring dance styles and music of the last 30 years.

Bargain alert: Pay the full gate price of $54.99 and receive a season pass. Park admission includes Boomerang Bay water park. Free fireworks shows are scheduled for Saturday nights in July and August, as well as July 3 and Sept. 4.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park: Special events scheduled throughout the season include "Dinosaur Bones," June 13-July 10; "Dress Up and Dance" featuring Madeline, July 11-24; "Superstar Fiesta" featuring the Wild Thing, July 25-Aug. 7; and "Dance-A-Long" featuring Maisy, Aug. 8-21.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: The historic seaside amusement park marks the 100th anniversary of its Looff Carousel (in 1911, a ride on the painted ponies cost a nickel; today it's $3). The Free Friday Night beach concert series showcases bands from the '70s, '80s, and '90s -- think Eric Burdon and the Animals, the Family Stone, Eddie Money -- with two shows on Fridays from June 17 to Sept. 2. Other free entertainment includes 30 minutes of nonstop action with Cirque Polynesian, featuring drummers, dancers, acrobats and contortionists (two shows Sundays through Thursdays from July 10 to Aug. 18); and Free Movies on the Beach, at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays from July 6 to Aug. 10.

Bargain alert: Discounted ride nights include 1907 Night from June 20 to Sept. 1 with rides costing $1 each on Mondays and Tuesdays after 5 p.m. and unlimited ride wristbands for $9.95 on Wednesdays and Thursdays after 5 p.m. for visitors who bring in an empty Pepsi can. Season passes also include one free all-day ride wristband for a friend.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom: The park debuts its first tower thrill-ride, in which 32 passengers ascend the 150-foot-high SkyScreamer on swings that rotate at 43 miles per hour in a 98-foot circle. Merlin's Island Party dolphin show continues from last year.

Bargain alert: A season pass provides unlimited visits to any Six Flags park in the United States, a book with $300 worth of coupons, limited free tickets on select days and email alerts for perks such as ride-exit passes that bypass the regular wait line.

Raging Waters San Jose: The new "Bombs Away" drop slide is the first of its kind on the West Coast. Participants stand in an enclosed capsule with arms crossed over their chest and shoot down a slide when the floor suddenly drops out from beneath their feet. The ride opens Memorial Day weekend.

Bargain alert: Purchase a season pass before June 19 and get one free-friend ticket on select dates and more than $150 in park coupons. A season pass costs $42.99 when purchasing two or more before June 19.

Details: Open weekends through June 5, then daily from June 8. Located at Lake Cunningham, at the corner of Capitol Expressway and Tully Road, San Jose; 408-238-9900; www.rwsplash.com.

Waterworld California: Now in its 16th season, the water park is unveiling the Calypso Cabana Village, with daily cabana rentals. This private area features large cabanas with shade, lounge chairs, tables and chairs, tube rentals and concierge service. The park also will extend its hours to as late as 7 p.m. on select summer nights.

Bargain alert: Season passes purchased before July 1 cost only $12 more than a single-day general admission

Details: Open weekends, then daily from June 10 to Aug. 21, except June 27-28 when the park is closed. 1950 Waterworld Parkway, Concord; 925-609-1364; www.waterworldcalifornia.com.

Southern California

Disneyland and California Adventure: The multiyear expansion of Disney's California Adventure park continues with the June 3 premiere of the Little Mermaid -- Ariel's Undersea Adventure. Giant clamshells will transport guests past scenes inspired by the animated movies on this dark-ride attraction. World of Color, the after-dark water and light show started last year, continues with nightly performances on Paradise Lagoon. Meanwhile, at neighboring Disneyland, the newly enhanced Star Tours -- The Adventures Continue has reopened. Still based on the "Star Wars" franchise, the attraction uses a flight-motion simulator vehicle, 3-D video, in-cockpit special effects and 50 story combinations for repeat riders. On Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey Mouse and friends star in the new "Mickey's Soundsational Parade."

Bargain alert: Disney will announce a travel special this summer, probably in mid-June, available through travel agents and the Walt Disney Travel Company (800-854-3104).

Knott's Berry Farm and Soak City: The park celebrates its 90th year with a new ride, WindSeeker. Rising more than 300 feet, the ride divides 64 passengers into two-person gondolas attached to metal arms that lift and swing at a 45-degree angle for 60 seconds.

Details: Open daily. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; 714-220-5200; www.knotts.com. Soak City has a separate admission; more locations are in Orange County, San Diego and Palm Springs.

Legoland California: At the new Star Wars Miniland, guests experience live-action scenes from the six "Star Wars" movies, plus one scene from the animated series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." Combined, the life-size scenes are made with 1.5 million Lego bricks. Splash Zoo joins Legoland Water Park. It features interactive spray pads, fountains, a teeter totter and interactive Duplo animals designed for toddlers. Next door, Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium has a new Octopus Garden, an interactive exhibit about cephalopods. From octopus and cuttlefish to nautilus, these incredible creatures surprise and delight with their supernatural abilities, including camouflage, ink clouds and jet propulsion.

Bargain alert: The Resort Hopper -- which includes admission to all three areas -- can be upgraded to a two-day pass for $10.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Formerly San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, the newly christened park hosts the Summer Safari from July 2 to Aug. 21, celebrating Africa with music and activities and the African Acrobats. And the Cheetah Run Safari allows guests to watch a cat, from as close as seven feet away, race up to 70 miles per hour on a straight, 300-foot-long track. Previously, this experience was available for an additional cost; beginning this summer, it is free daily, weather permitting.

Bargain alert: A two-visit pass also allows admission to the San Diego Zoo. Become a member of the San Diego Zoo and get unlimited admission to both the Safari Park and the Zoo, plus two free guest passes, unlimited rides on the African Tram Safari tour and a subscription to ZooNooz Magazine.

Sea World San Diego: "One Ocean" replaces "Believe" as the new killer whale show, debuting Memorial Day weekend. The show will include multiple whales performing simultaneously and interactive moments with the audience. Later this summer, the Turtle Reef opens with an almost 300,000-gallon aquarium serving as home to hawksbill and green sea turtles, the latter including young hatched at SeaWorld in 2009.

Bargain alert: Pay the one day's admission of $69.99 (or $61.99 for ages 3-9) and get the Fun Card season pass for visits through Dec. 31.

Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor: With 18 roller coasters -- more than any other theme park -- Six Flags Magic Mountain regains the coveted "Coaster Capital of the World" crown. New this year, the Green Lantern features eight-person vehicles that rock back and forth and spin like wheels over 828 feet of twisted vertical track. The two-minute ride includes three 360-degree spins, designed for thrill-seekers with strong stomachs. The park's popular Superman: The Escape has transformed into Superman: Escape from Krypton, taking its record-breaking 100 miles-per-hour-in-seven-seconds feature to the next level by shooting riders backward up a 41-story tower before hurtling them back down. A new, more kid-friendly steel coaster will travel 21 miles per hour over a 679-foot track with a 28-foot lift hill.

Bargain alert: Buy four or more Thrill Passes or Combo Passes and get one free season parking pass.

Universal Studios Hollywood: Comedian Jimmy Fallon, star of NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," debuts June 2 as the video guide of the Studio Tour, a behind-the-scenes peek at movie and television hits. Fallon will introduce a series of videos that are seen on monitors located in each tram car, augmenting the regular live narration provided by tour guides.

Bargain alert: The website features specials such as the All You Can Eat Pass.